Paul-Harry Aithnard : “Africa can create its own champions”

By Paul-Harry Aithnard*

Forty years ago, in Togo, an audacious idea was born: building a bank by Africans, for Africa.

Today, I speak not only as a Togolese, but above all as an African convinced that this collective adventure transcends us and unites us.

We have proven that Africa can bring forth its own champions, capable of innovating and adapting

Forty years is a symbolic milestone. A young age for a bank, yet already carrying immense lessons. We have proven that Africa can bring forth its own champions, capable of innovating and adapting. And still, the journey continues: learning more, growing with market changes, moving forward with new perspectives.

I pay tribute to Gervais Koffi Djondo, whose conviction ‘Africa first’ gave birth to this dream

I pay tribute to Gervais Koffi Djondo, whose conviction “Africa first” gave birth to this dream. I had the honor of contributing, in my own way, to telling the story of this vision in the book that bears his name.

I also pay tribute to the thousands of women and men who, every day, embody Ecobank’s DNA and carry out this mission with passion and commitment.

Our role is clear: to connect economies, bring markets closer together, and transform our diversity into shared prosperity.

40 years are not an end, but an invitation to write the next chapter

Forty years are not an end, but an invitation to write the next chapter. With humility, pride, and determination.

*Paul-Harry Aithnard is a Togolese banking and financial executive, specialist in strategy, markets, and regional integration.
 He currently heads Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire and the UEMOA region, after an international career within the Ecobank group.